Independent of the truth or falsity of Glenn's "harmonization", I find
myself asking myself the following question:
What evidence do we have of a very long history of God's redemptive
activity (past and future, as *we* perceive time)? Some comments follow.
1. Of course, Glenn's harmonization suggests that it reaches back at least
5 million years.
2. There are many biblical verses linking redemption to "the foundation of
the world". These suggest a very long redemptive history (perhaps 4.5
billions of years):
Matthew 13:35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I
will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been
kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world:
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:
for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:3
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have
sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works
were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 9:26
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away
sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Rev. 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are
not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation
of the world.
3. On the other hand, the phrase "the foundation of the world" might have
a less literal meaning. Consider:
Luke 11:50
That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation
of the world, may be required of this generation;
Clearly, this does not literal mean "for the last 4.5 million years."
(I suppose YEC's could find this easier to interpret literally.)
4. For the future, consider the verses:
2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:12
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat?
How long into the future does this refer to?
(a) We have scientific evidence that the earth will be consumed by fire
several billion years from now after the Sun consumes its hydrogen.
(b) This could refer to a massive meteor striking the earth following a
firery entry.
(c) Man, in his madness, could unleash a massive nuclear war.
(d) Something supernatural might occur.
Clearly, the time span is hard to predict. So perhaps it is better to
focus attention on the past - while noting that a long future of
redemptive history might be in the cards.
5. Left out of consideration in point 4 is the certain return of Christ -
occurring at some unspecified future time.
6. Is it conceivable that the spans of redemptive history and the created
universe coincide completely? With this thought I close.
Gordie